The Best Studio Audio Monitors
For audiophiles and home studio engineers, high-quality sound monitors are essential tools for optimal home audio. Studio monitors allow you to experience the full range of audio detail that a song has to offer. While top-notch studio headphones are necessary for any home studio as well, you’ll never be able to fully immerse yourself into the sea of a song’s sonic vibrations until you listen with studio monitors. There are plenty of features to consider when purchasing studio monitors, which is why we have researched the entire market to bring you this list of the best home studio monitors on the block.
What to Look For
In our research, we found that the best studio monitors feature accurate imaging, balanced bass, and an overall solid sound quality. For example, PreSonus’s Eris E3.5 BT studio monitors provide you with a warm sound that’s great for both listening and recording music. Plus, they have Bluetooth, so you can connect your devices wirelessly. If money is no object, consider purchasing Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor. It may be expensive, but the HS8 is used in studios around the world for a reason. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks.
PreSonus Eris E3.5 BT Studio Monitors
A spectrum of sound
Who said you had to spend a fortune to get high-end home audio quality? They must have never heard of these beauties from PreSonus. These studio monitors combine everything that a home audio engineer could dream of into one affordable package. Firstly, the Bluetooth capability allows you to go wireless at a moment’s notice, with minimal latency. Better yet, the low-frequency and high-frequency transducers are both top-notch, providing lush treble and warm, deep bass tones. We highly recommend these to any audiophile looking to step their home audio game up in a big way.
Pros:
- These speakers may be small, but they pack quite the wallop, especially at this price point.
- We think the neutral soundstage is great for mixing.
Cons:
- The stock cables that come with your purchase could be nicer.
Mackie CR-X Series Studio Monitors
Fully immersive
In the case of the Mackie CR-X Series, quality comes at a low price. These studio monitors immerse you in a lush soundscape with detailed frequencies at all ranges. These are particularly effective at producing crisp, vibrant treble and assertive mid-range frequencies. The bass does leave a little bit to be desired, but there’s little at this price range that can do better. Not to mention, the design of these things is pretty slick, featuring a matte black control panel with a lively lime green border. Mackie offers a progressively priced size range from 3″ to 8”, as well as a “Creator Bundle” pack that includes a microphone and studio headphones. Whichever size you decide to get, rest assured that you’ve chosen a top-notch speaker set.
Pros:
- The Bluetooth capability doesn’t reduce its audio quality.
- We found that the mid-range and treble are crystal clear.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have the greatest bass sound.
JBL Professional Professional Studio Monitor
Bring on the bass
JBL has been one of the most respected names in home audio for decades, and these studio monitors exemplify their sterling reputation. JBL updated these studio monitors’ low and high-frequency transducers to provide you with full-range hi-fi audio quality. Many studio monitors in this price range can produce excellent sounds in the mid to high range of frequencies, but these monitors from JBL can do all that and more. These studio monitors truly shine when the bass is cranked up and booming. If you don’t use these bad boys responsibly, you might have some very angry neighbors to deal with.
Pros:
- The high-quality bass and overall clarity are unparalleled and ideal for recording and mixing.
- While this is a studio monitor, we also found that it provides great sound for movies and video games.
Cons:
- You may have to deal with some minor white noise or hiss when powered on.
Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor
Heavenly hi-fi
If you’re looking to spend a little more on some industry-standard, professional-sounding studio monitors, this is the pick for you. The Yamaha HS8 studio monitor is used in professional recording studios all over the world. These studio monitors provide you with hit-record audio quality for a reasonable home audio price. Plus, they’re available in several different sizes. They are priced progressively and allow for louder, richer sounds as the sizes go up. For those looking to start taking home audio seriously, we highly recommend the Yamaha HS8.
Pros:
- Digital pianos and synthesizers sound really good on these monitors.
- It has some of the best mid-range studio monitors on the market. It allows you to hear the detail that the artist intended
Cons:
- They don’t come as a pair, so you’ll have to buy two if you want the full setup.
KRK Studio Monitors
Terrific tones
If you’ve had any experience in visiting or working in studios, you’ve probably seen these studio monitors at one point or another. That’s because these studio monitors from KRK are some of the best mid-price range monitors in the world. Some studio monitors are only viable for certain kinds of music, but these beauties can bring out a full sound spectrum from any genre you can throw at them. Whether it’s bass-heavy electronic music, treble-rich jazz, or moody mid-range rock music, KRK will represent your music in the best way possible. For audiophiles and home engineers, we can’t recommend them enough.
Pros:
- This is a great option for those looking for a mid-range studio monitor set that delivers high quality without breaking the bank.
- The clear treble and level bass make these monitors great for vocal recording.
Cons:
- There may be a light, ambient hissing sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to change anything about my room to experience my studio monitors properly?
Studio monitors will allow you to listen to music loudly and fully in whatever room you’re in. However, if you’re buying these studio monitors for music production or engineering, you should consider some level of soundproofing to achieve the highest sound quality possible. Without soundproofing, the room’s natural echo will alter the monitors’ output slightly. Again, this type of soundproofing is only necessary for professional audio work. Don’t worry about it if you’re just a hobbyist or someone looking to upgrade their home sound system.
Do I need to buy studio headphones too?
If you’re a music listener, studio headphones probably aren’t necessary. Your studio monitors will do more than enough to increase home audio quality, and any over-ear headphones or earbuds will work for listening. If you’re a producer or engineer, studio headphones are a necessity. The job of engineers and producers is to listen to their work on as many types of speakers as possible. People listen to music in hundreds of different ways, so you have to consider that variation of output when mixing your final product. Studio monitors provide a full, booming audio experience, but you have to factor in the intimacy and compression of studio headphones to get a well-rounded mix.
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